Democrat Sarah McBride is on track to make history next week by becoming the first openly transgender person elected to the US Congress. McBride, 34, previously made headlines in 2016 as the first openly transgender individual to address a major US political convention and in 2020 when she became the first openly transgender person to serve in a US state Senate.
After securing the Democratic nomination in a competitive primary last September, McBride is favored to win Delaware’s sole seat in the US House of Representatives, a position that political analysts rate solidly Democratic.
In a recent interview, McBride expressed gratitude for her candidacy, saying, “The fact that the candidacy of someone like me is even possible… is a testament to Delawareans.” However, she emphasized that her campaign focuses on her track record of collaboration, stating, “I’m not running on my identity.”
Transgender rights have emerged as a contentious issue in US politics, with lawmakers in 37 states introducing at least 142 bills to restrict gender-affirming healthcare for transgender individuals in 2023—nearly three times the number from the previous year. Despite this climate, McBride remains optimistic about her ability to work with colleagues who may not fully support transgender rights. She stated, “If democracy is going to work, we have to be able to have conversations across disagreement.”
McBride’s legislative priorities include advocating for the PRO Act, which aims to enhance federal protections for workers seeking to unionize, along with initiatives for affordable healthcare and childcare. Her opponent, Republican John Whalen III, has chosen to focus his campaign on issues like immigration and the economy, avoiding gender politics.
McBride has faced criticism from some quarters, notably from Republican lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene, who used derogatory terms during a podcast appearance. Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, highlighted the significance of McBride’s potential election, stating that it would represent a milestone for transgender Americans. “Her historic role as the first transgender member of Congress would be a testament to both the work she’s done and to the power of voters to embrace progress over fear,” Robinson remarked.
